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USB port ho! $20 later, I have 4 of them for the computer. I'll install them later on today so I can inflict Otakon piccies on all of you.

Even though my husband has flat out told me that he doesn't want to hear about my trip, I'm compiling a chronicle of the trip so that you all can read about it. It's frustrating that he actively doesn't want to hear about my adventures... but I guess it was to be expected.

The nutshell version is that the trip was great, and we all had a fun time. I'd never had any qualms from the get-go about dressing up, but it was clear from Friday night that if you weren't dressed up, you would probably be feeling left out of the party. On Saturday, I'd say that about 70% of people had at least something otaku-ish on, even if it was as lame as a pair of cat ears and regular civvies.

And there was plenty of anime, oh joy! Otakon combines two of my favorite things: Halloween (in the sense of costume party) and watching cartoons, so it was nothing short of hog heaven. The highlight of the anime was without doubt watching Zetsuai and Bronze, and Hideto was a real trooper about that. Angst, impassioned internal speeches, overdramatic conflict, the ultimate resolution (to whistles and cheers from the audience...) It was a scream and I'd love to get 'em on tape. Guess that would have to join the naughty dj's in the lockbox, eh?

The dealer's room was mostly full of anime, which I suppose I should have expected. I'd been hoping that at least Doki Doki Station would show up (as FC remarked, "Those bloodsuckers") but they were a no-show and my dj fix went unfulfilled. Shoujocon looked like the place to go for that - hopefully next year. I did buy a gorgeous antique formal kimono, though. It didn't make sense to buy the DVD's from there, since you can get any of them pretty easily online for about the same price.

It was hot as hell for the weekend, but the hotel turned out to be not too far from the 'con and most of the time we spent indoors. Hideto and I were both sweltering in wigs and full costumes, but it was well worth it. We got a fair number of requests for pictures, which was flattering and gratifying since all three of us had worked hard on our costumes.

I gotta figure out a way to go to one of these things again. Despite parental and spousal disapproval, I had a great time and I loved cosplaying, and damned if I'm going to sit around and say "they won't let me." You can't keep an otaku down. :)
(deleted comment)

Date: 2002-08-01 07:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arafel.livejournal.com
Heh heh, yeah, just hand over the money and the Amazon.com gift certificates and let us buy all the anime and manga we want! :)

The con was a lot of fun. I went as Reno from FF7 one day and Amalthea from The Last Unicorn on the other. FC was Tseng one day and Demian from War of Genesis on the second, and Hideto was, well... Hideto. :)

My parents were bothered because they felt I was giving my husband short shrift, and my husband was concerned for my safety. It's pretty much worked out now, at least between me and my husband.

It would be fun for you and your hubby to go to a 'con! If we hatch any more Grand Schemes, we can let you know about them. ^_^

Date: 2002-07-31 09:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lordraziel.livejournal.com
It was a good time, that's for sure. And I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures!! :)

Sorry the family is so upset. :( I don't understand why it's OK for S to take off on a trip but not you. Ah well, people rarely make sense to me.

Date: 2002-08-01 07:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arafel.livejournal.com
Glad you had fun! Were you able to get all the pics?

S was more concerned for my safety than anything else. He says it's very easy for people to hide their true selves on email, which I'll admit. But usually stalkers aren't patient enough to wait 2 years...

Date: 2002-08-01 09:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lordraziel.livejournal.com
I can definitely understand him being concerned for your safety. I would be if D went somewhere and met people like that. But it's not like we had just met online last week. And things did turn out well. Personally, like I said when you dropped me off at the airport, you all were exactly as I expected. Your personalities came through via online as they truely were. At least that is what I think.

Anyway, it is nice to know that he is worried for you.

Eeek.

Date: 2002-07-31 09:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wickedorin.livejournal.com
Holy crap, I definitely have to get there next year, regardless of... anything.

Of course, my luck, no one that went this year will be able to make it... and there's an arrest in that vision somewhere, too... probably mine... Guess we better save for bail, too...

Re: Eeek.

Date: 2002-08-01 07:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arafel.livejournal.com
Oh, I don't know that no one will be able to make it, it's too soon to tell. :) And if you move to Our Great State or thereabouts, then it wouldn't be such a hike and you could save on hotels.

But damn, it's a blast, definitely plan for one!! There's one in Boston soon.

Re: Eeek.

Date: 2002-08-02 08:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wickedorin.livejournal.com
Oh my husband will love that. *grin*

"Hey, remember that 'crazy convention' we narrowly avoided not that long ago? Yeah, well, there's one in Boston and you're coming."

At least it's an actual excuse to dress up. *pause, thinking* Gotta get that blood red wig at Spencer's...

Re: Eeek.

Date: 2002-08-02 08:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arafel.livejournal.com
I think it's something like the "Boston Anime Expo?" But yeah, if you can get there, it's a great time! And the bext excuse ever to dress up.

I'm trying to get my husband to think about dressing up as Speed Racer. Not that I'm terribly fond of Speed Racer, but it's something he might actually do without getting all weird about it. :)

Re: Eeek.

Date: 2002-08-04 08:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wickedorin.livejournal.com
Speed Racer... *giggles for a moment* All I can picture are great big fake eye lashes for some reason... But that's just me. You could hot glue some cardboard panels on a car, even... Yeah, I'm coming up with all the nifty ideas... *grin*

Please enlighten my ignorance

Date: 2002-07-31 02:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pipeandslippers.livejournal.com
Otaku?

Who, what, why, when?

Glad to hear you had fun at the conference. I have a general motto, "I'll do anything in life once." I have my limits though! That's what I thought when I once went to a Bab 5 conference, didn't think it was my sort of thing but it was great fun.

Sorry to hear not everyone thinks like you do. I think not wanting to talk about what you did is storing up trouble though.

Re: Please enlighten my ignorance

Date: 2002-08-01 07:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arafel.livejournal.com
Otaku: literally, "house." A person who is obsessed with anime, comics, and/or video games, and as such doesn't get out very often. (i.e. doesn't leave the house)

Who: the four people in the piccy

What: Convention of Otaku Generation, aka Otakon. An anime convention with lots of anime being shown everywhere and people dressed up like their favorite charas.

Why: It was FUN!

When: Last weekend

I went to a Star Trek 'con once, and this was a zillion times better. So, don't let your Bab5 experience guide you in judging an anime con. :)

Date: 2002-07-31 05:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ssilverfish.livejournal.com
Welcome back!! :) I'm sorry your husband doesn't want to hear about your trip. (Hopefully there will be less tension about it as time passes). Sounds like you had a great time though... I can't wait to read the chronicles (and see more pics!).

Date: 2002-08-01 07:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arafel.livejournal.com
Yeah, husband is still getting over it... I think he'll come around. He did look at some of my pics with me.

I'm getting busy with the chronicles! :) Wish I had more time for them!

Date: 2002-07-31 05:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hidetomatsumoto.livejournal.com
I seriously though Arafel was going to trash the dealers room when she found out Doki Doki Station was a no show. J/K. =P

Date: 2002-08-01 07:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arafel.livejournal.com
RAGE! :)

Oh well, maybe next time... and Doki Doki Station is $$$ too.

Date: 2002-07-31 09:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fireceremony.livejournal.com

Thanks for sending the pictures ! They look really good all of them, once again I praise your camera.

I'm looking forward to reading the Otakon 2002 chronicles, even if hubby doesn't want to read them (which I think is a bit unfair). I'll make a comment page like Andrea did.

It was fun to see so many ppl had dressed up and the number of really great detailed and impressive costumes ! Makes everyone feel they have to try even harder next year. Glad to hear you liked the Zetsuai jaunt as well, you've now seen one of the shonen ai classics.

Hope the kimono turns out well for you and maybe you get to use it some day too. If not it'll make a great decorative piece on the wall.

Date: 2002-08-01 07:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arafel.livejournal.com
Oh great! You were able to dl them; that's a relief. I'm glad that the pics look good. You took a fair number of them, after all. ^_~

Are you going to write a chronicle as well, or something like that? I'm interested to hear your take on the trip as well. It's fun to read what other people have to say about the same thing; it's kind of like being able to see your experiences through someone else's eyes. Please do post! ;)

Yeah, it was fun to see everyone dressed up! You're so right, we would have felt very left out if we didn't cosplay. Hope we get to do it again.

I'm not sure the kimono is practical for wearing because it's very restrictive to a Western gait. But it would be great fun if I didn't have to walk too much.

Take a pic of yours sometime; I'd love to see it! Have you ever gone looking at obi for auction on eBay?

Re:

Date: 2002-08-02 12:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fireceremony.livejournal.com

That's an idea... if obi are for sale on eBay. I do have an obi but it's old and ripped at places... I should stitch it back together again, it wouldn't be that much of a job.

I'll certainly post a few comments along with the pictures like Andrea did but nothing too long.

If you use the kimono, takes pics. What did hubby think about it ?

Date: 2002-08-02 08:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arafel.livejournal.com
There are a lot of obi for sale on Ebay; make sure you take a peek at Dalby's book before you buy if you want to actually tie the thing. I would have cheerfully bought one of the gorgeous maru obi and then discovered that it would be next to impossible for a foreigner to handle. They seem to go for about $50/ea.

Looking forward to your pics. :)

Hubby liked the kimono a lot!

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